Obed Mountain Mine Wastewater Release Monthly Status Report for December 2014 · 2019. 3. 1. ·...

Coal Valley Resources Inc. – Obed Mountain Mine A Subsidiary of WESTMORELAND COAL COMPANY

Obed Mountain Mine Wastewater Release

Monthly Status Report for December 2014

January 15, 2015

Obed Mountain Mine

Monthly Status Report – December January 15, 2015

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Table of Contents

1.0 MONTHLY STATUS REPORT – DECEMBER 2014 ...................................................................... 1

2.0 EPO ACTIVITIES IN DECEMBER 2014 ..................................................................................... 1

2.1 CLAUSE 3 IMMEDIATE AND SHORT TERM SAMPLING AND MONITORING PLAN ............. 1

2.2 CLAUSES 6-10 - SOLIDS RECOVERY PLAN ........................................................................... 2

2.3 CLAUSES 10 – SOLIDS RECOVERY REPORT ........................................................................ 2

2.4 CLAUSE 11 LONG TERM SAMPLING AND MONITORING PLAN ........................................... 2

2.5 FISH SAMPLING AND MONITORING PLAN ............................................................................. 5

2.6 CLAUSE 15 - IMPACTS REPORT AND CLAUSE 17- IMPACTS ASSESSMENT PLAN .......... 5

2.7 CLAUSE 22- WILDLIFE MITIGATION PLAN .............................................................................. 5

2.8 CLAUSE 27 - REMEDIATION PLAN ........................................................................................... 6

2.9 CLAUSE 34 – WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN ........................................................................... 6

2.10 CLAUSE 37 - WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN .............................................................. 6

2.11 HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT (“HHRA”) REPORT ..................................................... 7

3.0 PLANNED EPO ACTIVITIES FOR DECEMBER 2014 ............................................................... 7

3.1 REPORTING STRATEGY ........................................................................................................... 8

4.0 CLOSING .................................................................................................................................... 1

Obed Mountain Mine

Monthly Status Report - December January 15, 2015

1.0 MONTHLY STATUS REPORT – DECEMBER 2014

On November 19, 2013, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development ("ESRD")

issued Environmental Protection Order No. EPO-2013/34-CR, as amended (the "EPO"), to Coal

Valley Resources Inc. ("CVRI") and Sherritt International Corporation in respect of the Obed

Mountain Mine (the "Mine"). Oversight of the EPO transferred from ESRD to the Alberta Energy

Regulator ("AER") in March 2014. CVRI became a subsidiary of Westmoreland Coal Company in

April 2014.

This Monthly Status Report has been prepared in accordance with clauses 39 and 40 of the

EPO. The following documents are submitted in support of the December 2014 Monthly Status

Report:

1. Attachment 1 - Monthly Data Sonde Summary Tables

2. Attachments 2A,B and C - Request, Response and Map to OBED-COM-0059

3. Attachment 3 - Pictorial Update to Wildlife Report

4. Attachment 4 - Copy of Communication, Sampling Suspension

2.0 EPO Activities in December 2014

2.1 CLAUSE 3 IMMEDIATE AND SHORT TERM SAMPLING AND MONITORING

PLAN

CVRI received ESRD approval of the Immediate and Short-Term Sampling and Monitoring Plan

on February 7, 2014.

The implementation and execution of the Immediate and Short Term Sampling and Monitoring

Plan concluded on April 24th, 2014 when the Long Term Sampling and Monitoring Plan was

approved. All data that was previously collected under the Immediate and Short Term

Sampling and Monitoring Program has continued under the agreed upon terms outlined in the

approved Long Term Sampling and Monitoring Plan.

The requirements prescribed under Clause 3 the Immediate and Short Term Sampling and

Monitoring Plan are considered complete.

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2.2 CLAUSES 6-10 - SOLIDS RECOVERY PLAN

CVRI received ESRD approval of the Solids Recovery Plan on February 7, 2014. The approval of

the Solids Recovery Plan included contingencies and revisions that required the Solids Recovery

Plan to be updated and resubmitted to ESRD by February 14, 2014. The amended Solids

Recovery Plan was resubmitted to ESRD on February 14, 2014.

As part of the maintenance and operation of the sediment traps, the silt curtains were

scheduled to be removed in late fall. The curtains have been removed for the 2014/2015 winter

season and will be placed in stream prior to spring freshet 2015. A notice of activity will be

provided to all regulatory authorities prior activity.

As per the direction from the AER OMM will be submitting 1 TFA to cover all sediment traps

2.3 CLAUSES 10 – SOLIDS RECOVERY REPORT

CVRI submits updates to the Clause 10 – Solids Recovery Report as part of the Quarterly

Progression reporting requirements. There is no new activity to report under Clause 10 – Solids

Recovery Report.

2.4 CLAUSE 11 LONG TERM SAMPLING AND MONITORING PLAN

CVRI received approval of the Long-Term Sampling and Monitoring Plan retroactive to April 24,

2014.

The Long-Term Sampling and Monitoring Plan is fully implemented and replaces the

requirements outlined in Clause 3, the Immediate and Short Term Sampling and Monitoring

Plan.

CVRI collects and reports on samples to the AER on a weekly basis. The data collected is

reviewed and discussions regarding the findings are provided in the Quarterly Progress Report.

Water sampling on the Mine site, as required under EPEA Approval No. 10119-02-00

(the "Approval"), and as prescribed by the approved EPO Plans are summarized below.

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CVRI has received a rollback of the surface water sampling requirements for the 2014-2015

winter period. The request for the rollback mirrors the winter procedure that was implemented

for the winter season 2013-2014 and was implemented November 15, 2014.

Suspension of sampling occurred along the Athabasca due to an incident related to ice

conditions. Sampling will resume on Monday January 19th, 2015. Please see Attachment 4 for

additional details.

Table 1: Obed Sampling and Monitoring Requirements During Pumping Operations

Location Requirements Frequency Notes

Oldman Creek (OMC) NTU, pH 2X/Day U/S and D/S while pumping

TSS samples collected when NTU>50

Water Chemistry 1X/ week

Baseline Creek (BLC) NTU, pH 2X/Day D/S while pumping

TSS Samples collected when NTU>50

Water Chemistry 1X/ week

Pump Discharges NTU, pH, Flow, Volume Every 6 hours while pumping

Includes: MTP, ELP1, Pond 5. TSS samples are collected when NTU>50

Table 2: Obed Regular On-Site Sampling and Monitoring Operations

Location Classification Frequency Requirements

East Limb Pond 1 (ELP1) Major Pond Daily 3X/week for pH, TSS Daily for NTU

Bi-weekly for Nitrates

East Limb Pond 2 (ELP2) Major Pond Daily 3X/week for pH, TSS Daily for NTU


South Plateau Pond 1 (SPP1)

Major Pond Daily 3X/week for pH, TSS Daily for NTU








Main Tailing Pond (MTP)



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Monthly Water Chemistry

Pond 5 Minor Pond Daily 3X/week for pH, TSS Daily for NTU


Load-Out Settling Pond 2 (LSP2)

Minor Pond Weekly 1X/week for pH, TSS, NTU

Monthly for nitrates

Load-Out Settling Pond 3 (LSP3)

Minor Pond Weekly 1X/week for pH, TSS, NTU

Monthly for nitrates

Table 3: Obed Water Sampling and Monitoring Program

Site Name Watercourse UTM Data Collection Frequency

Easting Northing Water Data Sonde

Water Sediment Toxicity

Near-Field Sample Sites1 (See Figure 1)

APC –US3 Apetowun Creek 470657 5937715

May, July and September

APC Apetowun Creek 472400 5938941

15-min2 May, July and September

APC-DS3 Apetowun Creek 477133 5943213

PLC-US Plante Creek 482483 5945393 15-min2

PLC-DS Plante Creek 483639 5942193

2 x weekly


ATR-US Athabasca River 476280 5931218


ATR –PLC Athabasca River 485385 5940747 15-min2

ATR-D1 Athabasca River 478576 5950378

May, July and September

ATR-D2 Athabasca River 489498 5965837 15-min2

Far-Field Sample Sites1 (See Figure 2)

ATR-WD1 Athabasca River 660944 6028061

ATR-FF23 Athabasca River 605947 6002848


ATR-AD1 Athabasca River 658459 6025745 Monthly




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2.5 Fish Sampling and Monitoring Plan

Approval of the Fish Sampling and Monitoring Plan has been received with a contingency that a

technical review meeting will be held in late January 2015. The intent of the technical review is

to discuss the data findings and determine if the approved plan is providing the requisite

information or if changes to the Fish Sampling and Monitoring Plan are required. In addition to

the technical meeting, an addendum request for rationale for sampling technique fish liver

versus muscle will be posted with the approved plan once consensus has been reached.

The fish tissue data has been collected and submitted to the AER. A copy of the information will

be posted on the Obed website and an addendum to the Fish Sampling and Monitoring Plan by

January 21st, 2015.

2.6 Clause 15 - Impacts Report and Clause 17- Impacts Assessment Plan

CLAUSE 15 - IMPACTS REPORT

CVRI submitted an Interim Impacts Report on January 17, 2014. On May 16, 2014, CVRI

submitted the Impacts Report as prescribed by the EPO. No communication regarding the

Impacts Report has been received as of December 7, 2014. The Final Impacts Report will be

updated and resubmitted on May 15th, 2015..

CLAUSE 17 - IMPACTS ASSESSMENT PLAN

CVRI received approval of the Impacts Assessment Plan retroactive to April 24, 2014. Approval

of the Impacts Assessment Plan included contingencies and revisions that required a response.

The Impacts Assessment Plan was resubmitted to the AER on May 27, 2014. The Impact

Assessment Plan has ben implemented. There is no new activity to report under Clause 17

Impact Assessment Plan..

2.7 Clause 22- Wildlife Mitigation Plan

CVRI received approval of the Wildlife Mitigation Plan retroactive to April 24, 2014.

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Data related to the Wildlife Mitigation Plan was submitted to the AER on October 15, 2014 as

part of the Quarterly Progress Report. The submitted October submission is available on the

Obed website. Provided in Attachment 3 is a pictorial update from the wildlife cameras at

Obed. The images provided were captured from the following cameras:

1. WC#7 and WC#8 are on the Spillway and drained beaver pond on Obed Mountain Mine.

2. WC#3 and WC#6 are Apetowun Creek upstream of the DX crossing.

3. WC#12 and WC#20 are on the control tributary which joins Apetowun just above the

blowout.

2.8 Clause 27 - Remediation Plan

On May 16, 2014, CVRI submitted the Remediation Plan as prescribed by the EPO. The

Remediation Plan will be updated on a quarterly basis as outlined in the Reporting Strategy. The

next update will be provided on January 15, 2015. The Final Remediation Plan will be

submitted May 15, 2015.

2.9 Clause 34 – Waste Management Plan

CVRI received approval of the Waste Management Plan on February 11, 2014. Included in the

ESRD approval of the Waste Management Plan was a request to respond to outstanding

questions and resubmit the plan by February 14, 2014. CVRI addressed the concerns and

resubmitted the plan. No updates or planned activity in the next 30 days.

2.10 Clause 37 - Wastewater Management Plan

CVRI received approval for the Wastewater Management Plan on February 11, 2014. Included

in the approval was a request to update ESRD as to the expected completion of the Medium

Term Plan. CVRI provided an update to ESRD and submitted the Medium Term Plan (Clause 37

of the EPO) to ESRD on February 28, 2014.

In accordance with the Medium Term Plan, CVRI completed the following submissions:

1. Geotechnical Information – March 17, 2014;

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2. Causation Report and required data – March 18, 2014;

3. Application under the Water Act to Construct Red/Green Pit Dam – March 26, 2014;

a. SIRs received, response submitted May 30, 2014;

b. Follow-up to SIRs received June 16, 2014;

i. Request for clarification received from the AER on July 2, 2014;

4. Application under the Coal Conservation Act to amend Licence C 2009-1 (Red/Green

Pit Dam) – March 26, 2014; and

5. Red/Green Perimeter Assessment Report – March 31, 2014.

CVRI has received approval to amend Licence C 2009-1 (Red-Green Pit Dam). CVRI is now in the

process of reviewing the approval in terms of end land use planning and plans to submit an

update to the AER with the 3 year reclamation plan in March 2015.

2.11 Human Health Risk Assessment (“HHRA”) Report

CVRI submitted an updated Table of Contents to Alberta Health ("AH") on August 27, 2014 for

review and feedback. AH provided a written response on September 5, 2014 to help direct

CVRI in the development of a detailed HHRA. The development of the HHRA has been in

coordination with the Fish Sampling and Monitoring Plan. The HHRA is progressing into its final

phase, with a final submission date of January 21st, 2015.

3.0 PLANNED EPO ACTIVITIES FOR DECEMBER 2014

During the month of December, CVRI will continue with:

1. Surface water quality sampling and monitoring;

2. Data collection as prescribed by the Long-Term Sampling and Monitoring Plan, Impacts

Assessment Plan, and Wildlife Mitigation Plan; and

3. Updates to the Obed website.

CVRI was granted a November 15, 2014 start date for the seasonal roll back under the Long-

Term Sampling and Monitoring Plan requirements. This change has been implemented and

sampling under the modified conditions continues.

Obed Mountain Mine


3.1 REPORTING STRATEGY

Table 4: Obed Reporting Program May 2014-April 2015

Report Type EPO

Clause

Submission

Frequency

Description Status

Action Summary Clause 21 Weekly

Thursdays

Details the weekly action

related to operations and EPO

related activities.

Ongoing

Monthly Update Clause 39 Monthly - on or

before the 7th

day of each

month.

A status report in writing that

contains a summary of all

activities undertaken in

accordance with the EPO in

the previous month and all

activities that are planned for

the next month. Inclusion of

Clause 10 Solids Recovery

Report updated initiated in

July.

Ongoing

December Report

Submitted

Impacts Report Clause 15 May 16, 2014 A report of all data collected

(including references to data

collection locations) and all

conclusions regarding the

impacts to the receptors and

habitats as identified during

implementation of the

Impacts Assessment Plan (the

‘’Impacts Report’’). See EPO

Amendment 1 for date

change.

Initial Submission

complete.

Remediation Plan Clause 27 May 16, 2014 A detailed remediation plan –

See EPO Amendment 1 for

date change.

Initial submission

complete.

Progression

Report

Clauses 15

and 27

July 15, 2014 Provide scheduled data

updates and proposed

modifications to EPO plans

submitted under Clauses 15

and 27. SIR response period of

30 days.

Complete

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Progression

Report

Clauses 15

and 27

October 15,

2014

Provide scheduled data





30 days.

Complete

Progression

Report

Clauses 15

and 27

January 15, 2014 Provide scheduled data





30 days.

Submitted

Final - Impacts

Assessment

Report

Clause 15 Internal Review

April 1, 2015

AER Submission

May 15th

, 2015*

Amendments to May 16, 2014

submission based upon data

collected in the 2014/2015

season.

In development

Final -

Remediation Plan

Clause 27 Internal Review

April 1, 2015

AER Submission

May 15th, 2015*

Amendments to May 16, 2014

submission based upon data

collected in the 2014/2015

season.

In development

Final Report Dependent upon

completion of

remediation

activities and

sign off from the

AER.

Required 30 days after the

completion of all

requirements as prescribed by

the EPO.

* Proposal to confirm date has been submitted to the AER. The Final report dates were never identified in the EPO

or the Amendment.

Obed Mountain Mine


4.0 CLOSING

CVRI continues to communicate with the AER to collect and submit data and information as

prescribed by the approved plans. The submission of regularly scheduled progress reports and

defined response periods allows CVRI and the AER to continue to communicate in a clear and

effective manner until the final Impacts Report and Reclamation Report are submitted.

Obed Mountain Mine Wastewater Release Monthly Status Report for December 2014 · 2019. 3. 1. ·...

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